Method and system of restricted substance management and recycling

ABSTRACT

A method is provided of restricted substance management and recycling in a manufacturing environment. The method includes the steps of inputting restricted substances and recycle content data of parts supplied by an inputter of information and receiving the inputted data by a receiver of information via a computer system. The method also includes the steps of reviewing the inputted data and determining parts with banned or recycled content or substances over predetermined thresholds. The method further includes the steps of reporting the determined parts to the inputter of the information and the receiver of the information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present invention is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/682,988, filed Nov. 5, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to methods and systems ofrecycling and, more specifically, to a method and system of restrictedsubstance management and recycling in a manufacturing corporateenvironment.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is known for a vehicle manufacture to require information onrestricted substances used in making components for a vehicle. In thepast, a paper form having a number of questions and blank boxes weresent to suppliers to respond or report to the vehicle manufacturerregarding restricted substances and recycle content in components theysupplied to the vehicle manufacturer. Once the forms were completed, thesuppliers mailed or faxed them to the vehicle manufacturer. The vehiclemanufacturer would review the completed forms for restricted substances.The completed forms were then stored in a box.

It is known that one vehicle manufacturer implemented a restrictedsubstance recycling content system to gather information on restrictedsubstances and recycle content from vehicle suppliers. This system,however, operated by mailing a computer disk to the vehicle supplierswho filled out information on the computer disk and mailed the computerdisk back to the vehicle manufacturer. This system only collectedrecycled content amount of recycle in the component parts, notrecyclibility of the material for the components.

Another system for collecting information on restricted substances isknown. This system collects restricted substances information on vehiclecomponents and collects recyclibility characteristics of the componentsto be recycled. The system allows one supplier to provide content dataor information to the next tier upward. Each data set has a numericidentifier. The supplier, however, is able to conceal proprietarymaterials by listing them as miscellaneous content. The system suffersfrom the disadvantage that the vehicle manufacturer does not know whatthe miscellaneous content is.

One disadvantage of above systems is that they do not report accuratelyrestricted substances and recycle content of components supplied to avehicle manufacturer. Another disadvantage of the above systems is thatthey are manual based and not computer based. As a result, it isdesirable to provide a method and system of restricted substancemanagement and recycling in a manufacturing corporate environment. It isalso desirable to provide a method of substance management and recyclingthat is computer based. Therefore, there is a need in the art to providea method and system that meets these desires.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is a method of restricted substancemanagement and recycling in a manufacturing environment. The methodincludes the steps of inputting restricted substances and recyclecontent data of parts supplied by an inputter of information andreceiving the inputted data by a receiver of information via a computersystem. The method also includes the steps of reviewing the inputteddata and determining parts with banned or recycled content or substancesover predetermined thresholds. The method further includes the steps ofreporting the determined parts to the inputter of the information andthe receiver of the information.

One advantage of the present invention is that a method and system isprovided of restricted substance management and recycling in amanufacturing corporate environment. Another advantage of the presentinvention is that the method and system is a web-based tool to assistcorporate efforts in meeting environmental, health, and recycling goals,as well as regulatory requirements. Yet another advantage of the presentinvention is that the method and system replaces a labor-intensive,fax-based reporting process. Still another advantage of the presentinvention is that the method and system facilitates the collection ofvaluable information on recycled content in order to meet corporatetargets and regulatory requirements for increased use of recycledmaterials in products. A further advantage of the present invention isthat the method and system improves the identification, reduction, andelimination of certain hazardous substances in dimensional parts, whichcould possibly lead to worker exposure through assembly or further inhouse processing.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readilyappreciated, as the same becomes better understood, after reading thesubsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a logic flow diagram of a method, according to the presentinvention, of restricted substance management and recycling.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method, according to the present invention,of restricted substance management and recycling.

FIGS. 3A through 3D are flowcharts of inputting restricted substancemanagement and recycling data.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method, according to the present invention,of creating reports for the restricted substance management andrecycling.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to the drawings and in particular FIG. 1, one embodiment of asystem 10, according to the present invention, of restricted substancemanagement and recycling in a manufacturing corporate environment isshown. The system 10 includes a computer system 12 having a computerwith a memory, a processor, a display and user input mechanism, such asa mouse or keyboard (not shown). A method, according to the presentinvention, is implemented on the computer system 12 in Microsoft Excel,coupled with other lower level languages. It should be appreciated thatthe computer system 12 is conventional and known in the art.

In general, the system 10 accepts data, stores data, and determinescompliance. The system 10 is based on the vehicle manufacturer networkand assists the vehicle manufacturer and its suppliers to better track,reduce, and eliminate the use of substances of concern in productssupplied to the vehicle manufacturer. As illustrated in FIG. 1, thesystem 10 includes a restricted substance management (RSM)/recyclingteam of the vehicle manufacturer in block 14. The RSM/recycling teamuses the computer system 12 to send a recycling substance managementsystem (RSMS) document in block 16 to one or more vehicle componentsuppliers in block 18. The suppliers use the computer system 12 to sendRSM/recycling data in block 20 to the RSM/recycling team in block 14.The RSM/recycling team uses the computer system 12 to send anacknowledgement of receipt of the data in block 22 to the vehiclecomponent supplier in block 18. The RSM/recycling team uses the computersystem 12 to send a notification of compliance or non-complianceincluding instructions for RSMS deviation in block 24 to the vehiclecomponent suppliers in block 18. It should be appreciated that the RSMSdata may be stored on a server memory, the memory of the computer system12, a magnetic disk storage device, or any one of numerous otherelectronic or magnetic storage devices. It should also be appreciatedthat the method to be described is web-based.

Referring to FIG. 2, a method, according to the present invention, ofreviewing reported substances is shown. The method starts in bubble 30and advances to block 32. In block 32, the reported substances areanalyzed for compliance with a restricted substance management (RSM)standard. The method advances to block 34 and compares the reportedsubstances to a list of banned substances. The method advances todiamond 36 and determines whether there are banned substances. If so,the method advances to block 38 and stores to exception list, which is abanned or over threshold limit. The method then advances to block 40 anddisplays a non-compliant printable message to the supplier and thevehicle manufacturer will contact the supplier shortly. After block 40,the method may advance to block 42 and supplier sent non-compliancenotification by e-mail a predetermined number of days past datasubmission and end in bubble 44. The method may advance to block 46 anda non-compliance notification is sent to vehicle manufacturer personnelimmediately by e-mail and ends in bubble 48.

In diamond 36, if there are no banned substances, the method advances toblock 50 and compares against the set of CAS numbers of substances withthreshold content limits. The method advances to diamond 52 anddetermines whether there are substances with threshold content limits(TCL). If so, the method advances to block 54 and for each substance,compares the submitted mass ratio (% weight) against the specific TCLfor the Chemical Abstract Substance (CAS) number. The method advances todiamond 56 and determines whether there are any reported substances withmass ratio greater than specific TCL. If so, the method advances toblock 38 previously described. If not, the method advances to diamond 58and determines whether no single substance over TCL or banned. If not,the method advances to block 38 previously described. If so, the methodadvances to block 60 and displays a compliant printable message tosupplier that submission is compliant. The method then advances tobubble 48 and ends.

Referring to FIGS. 3A through 3D, a method of inputting data forrestricted substance management and recycling, according to the presentinvention, is shown and carried out in accordance with the system 10. InFIG. 3A, the method starts in bubble 100 and advances to block 102. Inblock 102, the method allows a member of the RSM/recycling team toannually enter or input restricted substance management/recycling(RSM/R) data, change in regulation, entry of data on a new component orpart, or re-certification of existing data via the computer system 12.The method advance to block 104 and the supplier logs into a suppliernetwork (SN) of the vehicle manufacturer via the computer system 12. Themethod advances to block 106 and displays a global supplier data base(GSDB) code and supplier information. The method advances to diamond 108and determines whether to review re-certification of the supplierinformation. If so, the method advances to block 110 and system 10selects and displays components or parts submitted by the supplier atlast certification/re-certification review of the supplier information.The method then advances to block 112 and the supplier reviews each itemof the supplier information on a printable parts listing via thecomputer system 12. The method advances to diamond 114 and determineswhether to modify the supplier information on the parts. If not, themethod advances to block 116 and certifies no revisions are required tothe supplier information. The method advances to block 118 and thesupplier submits RSM/R data. The method then advances to bubble 120 andends.

In diamond 108, if the recertification review of the supplierinformation is not to be performed, or in diamond 114, if the supplierinformation is to be modified, the method advances to diamond 122 anddetermines whether the supplier certifies that there are no restrictedsubstances in parts supplied to the vehicle manufacturer. If thesupplier certifies that there are no restricted substances in partssupplied to the vehicle manufacturer, the method advances to block 124and the supplier submits the response or certification. The methodadvances to diamond 126 and determines whether recycled content of theparts is reported. If not, the method advances to block 128 in FIG. 3D.In block 128, the method saves the final RSM/R data submission by thesupplier. The method advances to block 130 and the method markssubmission complete and received by vehicle manufacturer. The methodthen advances to block 132 and deletes RSM/R data stored temporarilyon-the computer system 12. The method then advances to block 134 andgenerates on-screen, printable acknowledgement of receipt of RSM/R datain real time to the supplier via the computer system 12. The method thenadvances to bubble 136 and ends.

In diamond 126 in FIG. 3A, if the recycled content is reported, themethod advances to block 138 in FIG. 3C. In block 138, the supplierenters data of post industrial/consumer content by weight (kg) of theparts supplied to the vehicle manufacturer. The method advances to block140 and validates the data at field level via the computer system 12.The method then advances to diamond 142 and determines whether there isvalid alpha/numeric data in the data entered. If not, the methodadvances to block 144 and a specific error message is displayed via thecomputer system 12. The method then advances to block 146 and thesupplier re-enters the data. The method then advances to block 138previously described.

In diamond 142, if there is valid alpha/numeric data in the dataentered, the method advances to diamond 148 and determines whether thereis valid recycled content data of the data entered. If not, the methodadvances to block 144 previously described. If so, the method advancesto diamond 150 and determines whether to continue entering materialinformation of the parts supplied to the vehicle manufacturer. If not,the method advances to diamond 152 and determines whether to continueentering parts information of the parts supplied to the vehiclemanufacturer. If not, the method advances to diamond 154 and determineswhether the data entry by the supplier is complete. If not, the methodadvances to block 156 and temporarily stores the entered data for apredetermined time period such as x days. The method then advances toblock 104, previously described, in FIG. 3A.

In diamond 154, if the data entry is complete, the method advances toblock 158 and the supplier submits the data to the vehicle manufacturervia the computer system 12. The method advances to diamond 160 anddetermines whether the supplier has certified that the entries areeither one of or both complete and accurate. If so, the method advancesto block 128, previously described, in FIG. 3D. If not, the methodadvances to diamond 162 and determines whether the data is to betemporarily saved. If so, the method advances to block 156 previouslydescribed. If not, the method advances to block 164, cancels thesubmission, and deletes all data entries. The method then advances tobubble 166 and ends.

In diamond 152, if it is determined to continue entering partsinformation, the method advances to block 168 in FIG. 3B. In block 168,the supplier enters the vehicle manufacturer part number. The methodthen advances to block 170 and the data is validated at a field level.The method advances to diamond 172 and determines whether the partnumber is valid. If not, the method advances to block 174 and displays aspecific error message. The method then advances to block 168 previouslydescribed.

In diamond 172, if the part number is valid, the method advances toblock 176 and returns and displays the part name. The method advances toblock 178 and enters the supplier end-item part name. The methodadvances to diamond 180 and determines whether there is a restrictedsubstance or recycle content in a component of a supplier subcomponent(SS) assembly part. If so, the method advances to block 182 and enterssupplier's component/subcomponent part number and name. After block 182or the restricted substance or recycle content is not in component ofFSS assembly part, the method advances to block 184 and enters suppliermaterial name, material specification, and material weight. The methodadvances to block 186 and validates the data at the field level by thecomputer system 12. The method advances to diamond 188 and determineswhether the alpha/numeric data is valid. If not, the method advances toblock 190 and displays a specific error message by the computer system12. The method then advances to block 192 and re-enters the data. Themethod advances to block 184 previously described.

In diamond 188, if the alpha/numeric data is valid, the method advancesto diamond 194 and determines whether the material is valid. If not, themethod advances to block 190 previously described. If so, the methodadvances to diamond 196 and determines whether the part containsrestricted substance(s). If so, the method advances to block 198 and thesupplier selects substance's CAS number or chemical name from a popuplist. The method then advances to block 200 in FIG. 3C.

In block 200, the supplier enters the weight for substance in material.The method advances to block 202 and data is validated at field level.The method advances to diamond 204 and determines whether thealpha/numeric data is valid. If not, the method advances to block 206and displays a specific error message by the computer system 12. Themethod then advances to block 208 and re-enters the data. The methodadvances to block 200 previously described.

In diamond 204, if the alpha/numeric data is valid, the method advancesto diamond 210 and determines whether reporting recycled content. If so,the method advances to block 138 previously described.

In diamond 210, if the recycle content is not being reported, the methodadvances to diamond 180 previously described. In diamond 196 of FIG. 3B,if the part does not contain restricted substance(s), the methodadvances to diamond 210 previously described. In diamond 150 of FIG. 3C,if entering more information is continued, the method advances todiamond 180 previously described. In diamond 126, if the recycle contentis being reported, the method advances to block 138 previouslydescribed.

In diamond 122 of FIG. 3A, if no restricted substances in parts suppliedto the vehicle manufacturer are certified, the method advances todiamond 212 and determines whether data entry is resumed. If so, themethod advances to block 214 and the computer system 14 returnspartially completed information to screen. After block 214 or if dataentry is not resumed, the method advances to block 216 and the supplierrefers to down-loadable list of restricted substances such as a CASlisting. The method advances to block 218 and inputs restrictedmanagement substance/recycle (RMS/R) data. After block 218, the methodcan advance to block 220 and review/print on-line summary of reportedinformation as needed and end in bubble 222 or the method can advance toblock 168, previously described, in FIG. 3B.

Referring to FIG. 4, the method may include creating end-user reports.The method starts in bubble 300 and advances to block 302. In block 302,the method is triggered and supplier or appropriate vehicle manufacturerpersonnel has need to query/analyze RSM/R data. The method then advancesto block 304 and logs onto the vehicle manufacturer supplier network(VMSN). The method advances to block 306 and selects a report from areport menu. The method advances to block 308 and enters reportselection criteria. The method advances to block 310 and selects outputoptions such as display, print and/or download to personal computer. Themethod advances to block 312 and runs report. The method advances tobubble 314 and ends.

The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner. Itis to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, isintended to be in the nature of words of description rather than oflimitation.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possiblein light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of theappended claims, the present invention may be practiced other than asspecifically described.

1. A computer method of restricted substance management and recycling ina manufacturing environment, said method comprising the steps of:inputting restricted substances and recycle content data of partssupplied by an inputter of information and receiving the inputted databy a receiver of information via a computer system; reviewing theinputted data and determining parts with banned or recycled content orsubstances over predetermined thresholds; and reporting the determinedparts to the inputter of the information and the receiver of theinformation.
 2. A computer method as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidstep of inputting comprises inputting data of restricted substances andrecycle content by the inputter of information.
 3. A computer method asset forth in claim 2 wherein said step of inputting further comprisesvalidating the inputted data.
 4. A computer method as set forth in claim2 wherein said step of inputting further comprises saving partialinputted data.
 5. A computer method as set forth in claim 2 wherein saidstep of inputting further comprises acknowledging receipt of inputteddata.
 6. A computer method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step ofreviewing comprises analyzing inputted data for compliance with arestricted substance management standard.
 7. A computer method as setforth in claim 6 wherein said step of reviewing further comprisescomparing the inputted data to list of banned substances.
 8. A computermethod as set forth in claim 7 wherein said step of reviewing furthercomprises determining whether there are any banned substances.
 9. Acomputer method as set forth in claim 8 wherein said step of reviewingfurther comprises sending a non-compliance notification to the firstsupplier and the second supplier if there are any banned substances. 10.A computer method as set forth in claim 8 wherein said step of reviewingfurther comprises comparing the inputted data to a list of CAS numbersof substances with threshold content limits if there are no bannedsubstances.
 11. A computer method as set forth in claim 10 wherein saidstep of reviewing further comprises determining whether there are anysubstances with threshold content limits.
 12. A computer method as setforth in claim 11 wherein said step of reviewing further comprises, foreach substance, comparing the inputted mass ratio against a specific TCLfor CAS number if there are substances with threshold content limits.13. A computer method as set forth in claim 12 wherein said step ofreviewing further comprises determining whether there are any reportedsubstances with a mass ratio greater than the specific TCL.
 14. Acomputer method as set forth in claim 13 wherein said step of reviewingfurther comprises sending a non-compliance notification to the firstsupplier and the second supplier if there are any reported substanceswith a mass ratio greater than the specific TCL.
 15. A computer methodas set forth in claim 13 wherein said step of reviewing furthercomprises determining whether there are any substances over the TCL orbanned if there are no reported substances with a mass ratio greaterthan the specific TCL or there are no substances with TCL.
 16. Acomputer method as set forth in claim 13 wherein said step of reviewingfurther comprises sending a compliance notification to the inputter ofthe information and the receiver of the information if there are anysubstances over TCL or banned.
 17. A computer method of restrictedsubstance management and recycling in a manufacturing environment, saidmethod comprising the steps of: inputting restricted substances andrecycle content data of parts supplied by a supplier and receiving theinputted data by a manufacturer via a computer system; reviewing theinputted data and determining parts with banned or recycled content orsubstances over predetermined thresholds; and reporting the determinedparts to the supplier and the manufacture.
 18. A computer method as setforth in claim 17 wherein said step of reviewing comprises analyzinginputted data for compliance with a restricted substance managementstandard.
 19. A computer method of restricted substance management andrecycling in a manufacturing environment, said method comprising thesteps of: inputting data of restricted substances and recycle content ofparts supplied by a supplier and receiving the inputted data by amanufacturer via a computer system; validating the inputted data; savingpartial inputted data; acknowledging receipt of inputted data by themanufacturer to the supplier; reviewing the inputted data anddetermining parts with banned or recycled content or substances overpredetermined thresholds; sending a non-compliance notification to thesupplier and the manufacturer if there are determined parts; and sendinga compliance notification to the supplier and the manufacturer if thereare no determined parts.
 20. A computer method of restricted substancemanagement and recycling in a manufacturing environment, said methodcomprising the steps of: inputting restricted substances and recyclecontent data of parts and receiving the inputted data by a manufacturervia a computer system; reviewing the inputted data and determining partswith banned or recycled content or substances over predeterminedthresholds; and reporting the determined parts to the manufacturer.